Automatically actuated fire extinguisher



March 11, 1952 P. R.'ZELL 2,588,788

AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATED FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Nov. 12, 1949 IN VEN TOR. I finance/Q. ZLL

Patented Mar. 11, 1952 itremifiiciiizty Aciifi ien Film 15 -fri lri r EItiv 7 Parker; Zen Les Angel's; can I Ashramsw e e ,194 serial No. 126,805

My invention relates generally to.fire-. extin guishers, and more particularly, to such devices which are automatically actuated upon the inceptionof a fire or upon the occurrence of other. eventswhich giveriseto the probability offire,

It is a major object of j the present invention to provide a fire extinguisher Whichis adapted to be actuated to releasepressurized fire eXtinguishing medium in any one of several ways; to wit; by manual operation; by operationdue to rise in temperature above a certain predetermined point; or by impact acceleration-or decel'-; oration such as occurs, for example, in the collision of'a motor vehicle or aircraft. I i

It is another object of the present inventionto; provide a fire extinguisher of-theclass describedwhich is adapted to besecured-in position'to eject the fire-extinguishing medium inte the-throat of ascarburetor the-fil-Lspoutof a-gasoline-tank, or-.-other conduit containing-flammable medium whichmay underecircmnstances of-a collision or other-emergency present genre-hazard. 7

"A" further object ofthe invention is .to-provide an inertia op'erated-fire extinguisherof---the class above described which v is readily-adj ustable-to be sensitiveonl-y-to impact fromagivendirection:

AV stil l furthers object ofthe ginvention is to provide a fire eXtinguisher-of-the elass described which employs as an extinguishing-medium a compressed fluid; and -which is; constructed to receive such fluid ;;en-closed in disposable and replaceable cartridges.

Yet another object; of the-invention isto-provide 1 a fire extinguisher gf-the type above described ;which is inexpensive to manufacture and operate, yet rugged enough to withstand severe (The foregoing -and additional objects and advantages of the-invention will; be apparent from a consideration of the fol;lowing detailed description ,ther eof, 3 consideration -beingfgiven likewise to the attached draWings in-which: -1

Figure 1 is a front -elevational -view--of the presently'preferredembodimcnt-otthe invention;

Figure 2 is arr-enlarged fragmentary and partially sectioned view of the device shown in Figure 3 is af urther enlarged eievational section-taken orrthe line 3- 3-inI igure 2: 1 i jigure 4 is a-further enlarged-elevational section taken on the line ilsin l igure 2%; I

I Figure 5 is a -f: urther enlarged -h or-izontal section-taken -onthe line 5-5-in-{Eigure2 M -Eigure fi-isa tu-rther enlarged=elevational section taken on the line 66 in Figure 2;

19 Claims. (Cl. 169-26) T'Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan.view:illustrating the device shown in Figure I "attacheditothe carburetor of an internal combustion enginezand Figure 8 is a fragmentary.partiallyf'sectioned' elevationalview showing a modifie'd'form of the fire-extinguisher illustrated in Figure "I:

In the," drawingsyI have indicatedthe'nre' extinguishergenerally by the reference-character I0, and inFigure' 1711; will be seen to;comprise arelease. mechanism 41", to whichrisjjattached' a; CO2 cartridge l2, securedto-the-mechanism4I by means of apairof opposedspringwireclampstratedin Figure 1 is designed to=extinguish rela tivelysmall firesimmedi-atelyat their inception; and hence employs a relatively small COzcar tridge i2-ofthe type commonly used to charge sparkling water. Such cartridges are usually formed'with a necked-downrecessM intermediate the ends of-thecartridge body; and in the presentform of the-invention, this recess-M receives the carrying clamps -I'3 I3.-- Irr this and in other forms ofthe invention, larger car' vtridges may be employed-Whichare held in placeby modifiedclamping means, such forexample; as a depending spring cl amp secured-to the release mechanism H andengaging the bottom of the cartridge, as indicated by the phantom line 15 inFigure 1.--- Fora detailed description of the mechanisrir l l by-which the CO2. isreleased-from the cartridge I2, reference 'shouldnow. -be'---had -to-' Figure=- 2 Here it willbe seen that-the mechanism 'is enclosed in a box-like mount or container con sisting of a body portion-29 having a-coven "21 secured thereto by. screws 22, passing through thecover 2| and threaded intothe-body 2B; lihe body 20 and the cover 2| may be conveniently constructed as a die casting. In the lowerv wall of the housing body-294s formed a circular aperture 25 recessed to receive an (Jering sealing gasket2B,-and -0- sufficient diameter. to receive the neckiofithe cartridge 42 The cartridge [2 is of:atconventionaltype-having a thin terminal seal '27 which is adaptedtc :be' perforated to release compressed CO2 within the cartridge l2; Within. the housing 20-2l and supported -be= tween the body 20 and thecover 21 is a one-piece frame member 28 which serves variouspurposes; as: will hereinafter be described'indetail.---The frame member 281s held securely in place against movement in any direction bybeingreceived me groove 29 formed in the interior surfaces of the housing body 20 and the lid 2|, as shown in Fig I 3 inc 6. When the mechanism is assembled, the member 28 is dropped in place and secured therein when the lid or cover 2| is attached to the body 20.

In order, when desired, to pierce the seal 2i and release the compressed CO2 from the cartridge 12, a piercing member, comprising a plunger 30 carrying a beveled cutter 3| at the lower end thereof, is coaxially mounted for vertical sliding movement in the housing ZG-Zl, the upper end being carried in a sealed bearing aperture 32 in the upper end of the body 20, and the lower end of the plunger 34 being slidably supported by bearings 33 in the frame member 218. A relatively strong compression spring 34 is positioned between the frame member 28 and an abutment 35 formed on the lower end of the plunger 38. The bias of the spring 34 is suiicient to thrust the plunger 3i! and the cutter 3| downwardly with sufficient force to cut through the seal 2?.

The plunger 36 and the cutter 3i thereon are normally held in the uppermost position thereof against the urging of the spring 35 by a scar 35, the nature of which is best seen in Figure 5. The scar 35 is formed with a tapered, oval aperture 3'! therein, through which the plunger 38 passes. Immediately above the point where the plunger 30 first passes through the frame member 28, it is necked down to form a peripheral groove 39 which groove is normally engaged by the sear 36.

A relatively light compression spring so, surrounding a bolt member 4| fixed to the sear 36, serves to hold the latter normally in its lefthand position (in Figure wherein the narrow end of the aperture 3'5 engages the groove 39 and the plunger 38 thus holding the latter in its uppermost position against the urging of the spring 35. It will be seen, however, that if the sear 3% is moved to the right, the larger end of the aperture Bl will pass over the plunger 36, permitting the same to move downwardly under the pressure of the spring 3 Thus, the release of the plunger 3t and the consequent release of CO2 from the cartridge I2 is achieved by pulling the sear St to the right. Adjustment of tension on the spring at by means of the bolt ii serves to raise or lower the general force required to actuate the triggered device.

A triggering mechanism 34 adapted to .be actuated in various ways is connected by relatively flexible tension wire 42 to the sear 36. The tension wire 32 is secured at its left end to the sear 3E and at itsright end to a generally cup-shaped and eccentrically mounted inertia member 45, having a stem-like portion 4% formed thereon, which stem portion 46 is received loosely in a recessed socket 4'5 formed in the frame member 23.

Thus, if the inertia member 45 is rocked in any direction in a Vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2, as for example, downwardly (see phantom line in Figure 2), it fulcrums about the stem member fit in the socket ll, pulling to the right on the tension wire 42 and releasing the sear 36.

lhe right-hand, or open end of the inertia member 45 is positioned within a limiting aperture 35 (see Figure 4) which aperture is formed with inturned peripheral tabs 5U, any one or several of which may be bent inwardly to limit the motion of the inertia member in such direction. By way of illustration, the uppermost tag 5% is bent downwardly into light contact with the inertia member 55 so that any tendency of the inertia member as to move upwardly with respect the to the housing 20 is either prevented, or the force necessary to actuate the device in this direction increased, depending on the extent to which the tab is bent. Thus, by bending one or several of the tabs 50 into a position lightly contacting the inertia member 35, the sensitivity of the device can be regulated so that movement of the inertia member occurs only upon acceleration of the housing 2B-2I in a given direction. The tabs may each be covered by a protective layer 5| of rubber as shown in Figure 2.

As has been previously stated, it is desired that seal-piercing mechanism including the plunger 39 and the cutter 3i be actuated in the event of a sudden rise in temperature. To this end, a bi-metallic, snap-action, thermostatic disc is mounted to the housing body 26 at the outer end of a threaded nipple 56 formed therein, the disc 55 being held in place by a threaded collar mounting 5?. The thermostatic disc 55 is of the well-known type which assumes the convex shape shown in Figure 2 in full line, so long as the ambient temperature remains below a given point. Upon a rise in temperature above such point, however, the disc gradually flattens until it eventually snaps into a reverse convex condition, as shown in phantom line in Figure 2.

Such snap action of the disc 55 is transmitted through an actuating plunger 69 and a fulcrumed lever iii to the inertia member 45. The lever 61 is supported on a hinge 32 from the frame member 28, and it will :be seen that the action of the lever 65 is such that the when the upper end is pressed to the left (in Figure 2), the lower end moves to the right, tipping the inertia member 45 into the position shown in phantom line in Figure 2, and actuating the release mechanism as above set forth.

When the CO2 is released from the cartridge l2 into the interior of the housing 20-2 I, it escapes from the interior of the housing through an axial bore 58 in the threaded nipple 56 and a number of discharge orifices 55 therein. In order that the discharging extinguishing medium can escape through the bore 58 of the nipple 56, the same is made with a fluted interior as shown in Figure 3, so that the actuating plunger 60 is contrally supported therein yet does not prevent the escape of fluid.

The nature and disposition of the bi-metallic thermostatic disc 55 is such that in the event manual operation is desired, the disc 55 may serve as a pushbutton, being depressed by digital pressure to release the fluid as aforesaid. In the form of the device shown in Figure 8, the discharge orifices G5 are omitted, and a horn-shaped nozzle 5'! is formed in the housing body 28 so that upon actuation of the release mechanism, the extinguishing medium discharges through the horn 61.

After the device has been operated to empty the cartridge [2, the mechanism may be reset by pulling upwardly on a setting or cooking handle '19, secured to the upper end of the plunger 30, the compression spring Gil serving to reset the sear 36 to hold the plunger 3i! in its raised position.

In order to give notice of the fact that the extinguisher has been discharged, as for example, by thermostatic action, a flag member H is pivotally secured to the top of the housing body 20, having a rearwardly extending arm 12, positioned and adapted to be engaged by the handle 10 to raise the flag member H into the position shown in phantom line in Figure 2. If desired, suitable indicia may be added to the flag member which will be displayed upon discharge of the extinguisher, notifying-the user' 'to replacethe discharged cartridge l2.

In Figure 7, the extinguisher shown in Figure The device may be similarly mounted in the pour spout of the gasoline tank of" an ordinary motor vehicle. When so mounted, the thermo-- static disc 55 is in position to respondto arise iii-temperature such as would be occasioned by a small fire in the carburetor throat or pour spout, var-alternatively, is in the mechanismll position to be discharged in the event'thatthe vehicle,

should be subjected to a sudden impact. When so mounted and discharged, the CO2 has the effect not only of immediately extinguishing an incipient conflagration but of preventing ignition of vapor in theduct 8 I. The CO2 is harmless to the carburetor and will not prevent starting of the engine a short time after the discharge.

The extinguisher just describedmay be mounted in other ways than that shown in Figure '7. For example, the extinguisher may beheld in a wall rack of more or less conventional'construction, being thus in position for ready use by manual operation and also serving as an automatic extinguisher in the compartments of boats; aircraft, automobiles, etc.-, thereby giving more general automatic protection. Additionally, the extinguisher may be suspended by a-fusible link or combustible support, such" for example, as a Woods metal wire, above a stationary installation having a high fire hazard. In the event that the installation should catch-fire, the resultant heat will either actuate the extinguisher bythe operation of the thermostatic disc 55, or will de-' stroy the fusible or flammable support, permitting the extinguisher to fall onto or into the burning installation, the impact ofsuch fall actuat- 4- ing the mechanism through theoperation of-the inertia member 45.

It will also be realized that while'theillustrative embodiment shown herein employs a rela-- tively small cartridge, that other cartridges of greater capacity may be used where desired.-

While the forms of the device illustrated and described herein are fully capable of achievingthe objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore' stated, it will be realized by those skilled in the art that they are capable of some modification without departure from thespirit of the invention. For this reason I do not mean to be limited to the forms shown and'described, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. a'fire extinguisher, the combination of: a disposable container-having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluidtherein anda rupturable seal to retain said fluid; a cutter member-supported adjacent said seal for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fluid; and actuating means for-saidcutter member including an inertia member having an annular fulcrum portion, being rockably mounted on said annular fulcrum for impact responsive movement in any direction in the plane of said fulcrum, and cperatively connected at a point substantially at the center of said fulcrum to said cutter member to effect movement'thereof' release said fluid therefrom; sprin means conf nected to said cutter member and urging" the same toward said container; a'm'o'v'able member engaged with said c utter member to hold the same against the urging of said spring; and'trig ger'ing' mechanism" including an inertia member having a universal" fulcrum portion; being supported on said fulcrum portion for rocking move ment' in any direction in a given plane, and operatively connected to said movable" member so as whenactedon by'animpact force in said plane to move said'movable member to dist-Engage said cutter member and permit said spring to move thesame'to pierce said container;

3.In afire extinguisher; the combination of: a disposable container having pressurized combustion' inhibiting fluid therein" anda rupturable seal tou'etain said fluid; a mount secured to said container adjacent" said' seal; a cutter'meinber supported on said mount for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fluid; actuating'nfeans su ported on said mount, said actuating meansincludinga thermostat operatively connected to said cutter'to effeet movement thereof to rupture said seal as aforesaid; and impact" responsive means including' an inertia member having a universal fulcrum portion, being supported on" said fulcrum portion for rocking movement in" any direction in a given plane, andpperatively connected to said'actuating means for movement independent of said thermostatandin response to animpact force in said plane to effect movement of said cutter to rupture said seal as aforesaid.

4.111 a fireextih'guisher, the combination of: anisposable container having preSsurizdcombustioninhibiting' fluid therein and a rupturable seal to retain said fluid; a 'mount' secured to said containeradjacent said seal; a cutter member" supported on said mount formovem'nt toward said-*contain'er to'rupture safid'seal and release saidiluid; aspringanchored to said'mo'unt, connected to said" cutter member; and urging thef same toward said container; a sear movably sup ported onsaid mount and normally engaged with said-cutter member to hold the same againstthe urging of said spring; and'triggering mechanism including an inertia member having a base of rel-" atively restrictederea rockably supported on said mountfor impact-responsive movement ofi"said inertia. member in any direction in a given plane and"operativelyconnected' to said' sear to move the same uponan impact force acting on said mount in any direction in said plane to diseh gage said cutter member andperr'nit said spring to move the same to pierce saidcontainer;

5."In a fire extinguisher, the combination of:

adisposable container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein and a rupturable seal "to retain-said fluid; a mount secured to said container adjacent said "seal; acuttermember supported on said mountfor movement toward said *container'to rupture said seal and release said fluid; a spring anchored to said mount, connected to said cutter member, andurgingthe same toward said container; a sear movably' with said cutter member to hold"the"sar ri determi ed time in said" against the urging of said spring; triggering mechanism including an inertia, member havin universal supporting means supporting said inertia member for impact-responsive movement in any direction in a given plane and operatively connected to said sear to move the same upon impact force acting on said mount in any direction in said plane to disengage said cutter member and permit said spring to move the same to pierce said container; and a thermostat supported on said mount and operatively connected to said inertia member to move the same to release said sear upon exposure of said thermostat to a temperature above a predetermined point.

6. The construction of claim 5 further characterized in that said thermostat is externally positioned on said mount and adapted to receive digital pressure to actuate the same.

'7. A fire extinguisher comprising: a container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, said container having an extended neck with an opening therein and a rupturable seal secured in said opening to retain said fluid; a mount including a substantially fluid-tight enclosure having an aperture to receive said neck therein whereby to discharge fluid from said container into said enclosure when said seal is ruptured, said enclosure having formed thereon a discharge nozzle and a clamp removably engaging said container to hold the same with said neck in said aperture; a frame secured in said enclosure adjacent said aperture; a cutter member including a plunger having a, peripheral groove intermediate the ends thereof and a piercing element on an end thereof, said plunger being disposed with said piercing member directed toward said seal and being slidably supported for axial movement in said frame to pierce said seal and release said fiuid into said enclosure, an end of said plunger opposite said piercing end being extended through a wall of said enclosure and having a handle thereon to pull said plunger in a direction away from said seal to re-set said plunger; a compression spring anchored against said frame and engaged with said plunger to urge the same toward said seal; a sear supported on said frame for sliding movement thereon transverse to said plunger, said sear being normally positioned to engage said groove to hold said plunger against the urging of said spring and away from said seal; a second spring connected between said frame and sear to urge the latter toward said engaged position; and trigger means including a thermostat secured in said mount and thrust-transmitting mechanism disposed between said thermostat and sear to move the latter against the urging of said second spring and release said plunger upon exposure of said thermostat to a temperature above a predetermined point.

8. The construction of claim 7 further characterized in that said thermostat is positioned adjacent said nozzle whereby said fluid is discharged adjacent said thermostat to extinguish a fire causing said thermostat to operate.

9. The construction of claim '7 further characterized in that said thermostat includes a conveX relatively flexible bi-metallic sheet secured by its edges to said mount and having a normally convex surface thereof outwardly disposed, said bi-metallic sheet being adapted to reverse its convexity selectively upon exposure to heat or the application of digital pressure to move said sear as aforesaid.

10. The construction of claim '7 further char acterized by having an impact-responsive inertia member operatively connected in said thrusttransmitting mechanism, said inertia member being movably and e'ccentrically mounted to move in response to impact of said mount to move said scar and release said plunger as aforesaid.

11. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a disposable container havin pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, a discharge orihas, and a rupturable seal in said orifice to retain said fluid; a mount secured to said container, said mount having an enclosed chamber formed therein in communication with said orifice whereby to receive said fluid when said seal is ruptured; an outwardly extending conduit connected to said mount and communicated with said chamber to discharge said fluid therefrom, said conduit having at least one discharge orifice adjacent the outer end thereof; a cutter member supported in said enclosure for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fluid into said chamber; and actuating means supported on said mount and including a thermostat mounted on said conduit adjacent said discharge orifice, said thermostat being cperatively connected to said cutter member to effect movement thereof upon exposure of said thermostat to temperatures above a predetermined point to rupture said seal as aforesaid.

12. The construction of claim 11 further characterized by having attachment means formed on said conduit and a complemental securing member cooperating therewith to secure said mount to one side of a wall with said conduit extending through said wall and said thermostat and discharge orifice positioned on the other side of said wall.

13. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of: a disposable container havin pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, a discharge orifice, and a rupturable seal in said orifice to retain said fluid; a mount secured to said container, said mount having an enclosed chamber formed therein in communication with said orifice whereby to receive said fluid when said seal is ruptured; an outwardly extending conduit connected to said mount and communicated with said chamber to discharge said fluid therefrom, said conduit having at least one discharge orifice adjacent the outer end thereof; a cutter member supported in said enclosure for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fiuid into said chamber; and actuating means supported on said mount and including a thermostat mounted on said conduit adjacent said discharge orifice, and a force transmitting member disposed in said conduit and loosely fitting therein whereby not to block the same, said force transmitting member being operatively interposed between said thermostat and cutter member to effect movement of the latter upon exposure of said themostat to temperatures above a predetermined point to rupture said seal as aforesaid.

14. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of: a disposablecontainer having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, a discharge orilice, and a rupturable seal in said orifice to retain said fluid; a mount secured to said container, said mount havin an enclosed chamber formed therein in communication with said orifice whereby to receive said fluid when said seal is ruptured; an outwardly extending conduit connected to said mount and communicated with ,th'erein said chamber to discharge said-fluid therefrom,

said-conduit having at least one discharge orifice -adjacent the outer end thereof; a cutter -member'supported in said enclosure for movement towardsaid container to rupture said seal and release said fluid into said chamber; a spring anchored to said mount and connected to said cutter member to urge the same toward said container; a sear movably supported on said -mount and normally engaged with said cutter a disposable container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, a discharge orilice, anda rupturable seal in'said orifice to retain said fluid; a mount secured to said container,

said mount having an enclosed chamber formed in communication with said orifice whereby 'to' receive said fluid when said seal is ruptured; an outwardly extending conduit connected to said mount and communicated with said chamber to discharge said fluid therefrom, said conduit having at least one discharge oriflce adjacent the outer end thereof; a cutter member supported in said enclosure for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fluid into said chamber; a spring anchored to said mount and connected to said cutter member to urge the same toward said container; a sear movably supported on said mount and normally engaged with said cutter member to hold the same against the urging oi said spring; and triggering mechanism supported on said mount and including a thermostat mounted on said conduit adjacent said discharge orifice, and a force transmitting member disposed in said conduit and loosely fitting therein whereby not to block the same, said force transmitting memher being operatively interposed between said thermostat and sear to move said sear upon exposure of said thermostat to temperatures above a predetermined point to release said cutter member and permit said spring to move the same and rupture said seal.

16. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of; a disposable container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, a discharge orifice, and a rupturable seal in said orifice to retain said fluid; a mount secured to said container,

said mount having an enclosed chamber formed therein in communication with said orifice whereby to receive said fluid when said seal is ruptured; an outwardly extending conduit connected to said mount and communicated with said chamber to discharge said fluid therefrom, said conduit having at least one discharge orifice adjacent the outer end thereof; a cutter member supported in said enclosure for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fluid into said chamber; and actuating means for said cutter including a thrust rod disposed in. said conduit and loosely fitting therein whereby not to blocl: the same, and a convex relatively flexible bimetallic sheet secured by its edges to the outer end of said conduit and having a normally convex surface thereof outwardly disposed, said bimetallic sheet being adapted to reverse its convexity selectively upon exposure to heat or the application of digital pressure to move said thrust rod to actuate said cutter member and rupture said seal.

1'7. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a disposable container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, a discharge orifree, and a rupturable seal in said orifice to retain said" fluid; a mount secured to said container,

said 'mount' having an enclosed chamber formed therein in communication with said orifice whereby to receive said fluid when said seal is ruptured; an outwardly extending conduit connected to said mount and communicated with said chamber to discharge said fluid therefrom, said conduit having at least'one discharge orifice adjacent the outer end thereof; a cutter member supported in said enclosure for movement toward said container to rupture said seal and release said fluid into said chamber; actuating 'means'supported on said mount and including a thermostat mounted on said conduit adjacent said discharge orifice, and a force transmitting member disposed in said conduit and loosely fitting therein whereby not to block the same, said force transmitting member being operatively interpo'sed between said thermostat and cutter member to effect movement of the latter upon exposure of said thermostat to temperatures above a predetermined point to rupture said seal as aforesaid; and impact responsive means including an inertia member operatively connected to said actuating means and supported on said mount for movement independent of said thermostat to effect movement of said cutter to rupture said seal.

18. A fire extinguisher comprising: a container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, said container having an extended neck with an opening therein and a rupturable seal secured in said opening to retain said fluid; a mount including a substantially fluid-tight enclosure having an aperture to receive said neck therein whereby to discharge fluid from said container into said enclosure when said seal is ruptured, said enclosure having formed. thereon a discharge nozzle and a clamp removably engaging said container to hold the same with said neck in said aperture; a frame secured in said enclosure adjacent said aperture; a cutter member directed toward said seal and slidably supported for axial movement in said frame to pierce said seal and release said fluid into said enclosure, the end of said cutter member opposite said seal being extended through a wall of said enclosure and having a handle thereon to pull said cutter member in a direction away from said seal whereby to reset said cutter member; a spring anchored against said frame and engaged with said cutter member to urge the same toward said seal; a sear supported on said frame for sliding movement thereon transverse to said cutter member, said sear being normally positioned to engage said cutter member and hold the same against the urging of, said spring and away from said seal; a secondspring connected between said frame and sear to urge the latter toward said engaged position; and trigger means including a thermostat secured to said mount and thrust transmitting mechanism disposed between said thermostat and sear to move the latter against the urging of said second spring and release said cutter member upon exposure of said 11 thermostat to a temperature above a predetermined point.

19. A fire extinguisher comprising: a container having pressurized combustion inhibiting fluid therein, said container havin an extended neck with an opening therein and a rupturable seal secured in said opening to retain said fluid a mount including a substantially fluid-tight enclosure having an aperture to receive said neck therein whereby to discharge fluid from said container into said enclosure when said seal is ruptured, said enclosure having formed thereon a discharge nozzle and a clamp removably engaging said container to hold the same with said neck in said aperture; slide bearing means in said enclosure aligned with said aperture; a cutter member slidably supported for axial movement in said bearing means to pierce said seal and release said fluid into said enclosure, an end of said cutter member opposite said seal being extended through a wall of said enclosure and having a handle thereon to pull said cutter member in a direction away from said seal to reset said plunger; a compression sprin anchored in said enclosure and engaged with said cutter member to urge the same toward said seal; a sear supported in said enclosure for sliding movement transverse to said cutter member, said sear being normally positioned to engage said cutter member to hold the same against the urging of said spring and away from said seal; a second spring connected between said enclosure and sear to urge the latter towards said engaged position; and trigger means including a thermostat secured in said mount and thrust transmitting mechanism disposed between said thermostat and sear to move the latter against the urging of said. second spring and release said cutter member upon exposure to said thermostat to a temperature above a predetermined point.

PARKER R. ZELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,745,909 Paulus Feb. 4, 1930 1,840,986 Townsend Jan. 12, 1932 1,881,608 Hunter Oct. 11, 1932 1,933,694 Allen Nov. 7, 1933 2,025,326 Bouillon Dec. 24, 1935 2,127,395 Evans Aug. 16, 1938 2,480,033 Kramer Aug. 23, 1949 

